“I agree, Colonel,” the President said. “Let’s say January the fourth for the launch of attack.”
“Sounds good, sir,” Walker replied with the aides agreeing.
“Mr. President, what if the weather gets colder before then? We could launch earlier,” Givens said.
“No, General. The colonel is right; we need our troops ready for this battle. They will have many more after it, but this will be the most important,” the President said, and Givens nodded but didn’t agree.
Walker straightened and stretched his arms out. “Gentlemen, if you would excuse me, I have not stopped in the last four days. I really want to grab some rack time,” Walker said.
The President looked at him with alarm. “Colonel, you will get some rest now. If I had known that, I would have asked for a briefing tomorrow. You are too valuable to me and this country. I command you to take tomorrow off.”
“Well, sir, I would like to sleep a little late, but we still have a lot of work to do. Besides, what else is there to do?” Walker pointed out.
The President laughed. “Colonel, go grab some rack, but at least sleep late. If anyone disturbs you, let me know; I’ll have them shot.” Walker wanted to laugh, but he knew the President was being serious. Grabbing his papers and shaking hands, Walker headed out of the room.
Reaching the hall, he pulled out the cellphone and read, “need to talk.” Walking down to his room, he looked at the camera on the wall and smiled. Over the last week, he had talked to Jake and Matt but also Angela and Stephanie without Bruce knowing. They told him about Debbie and the months of Bruce going insane.
When he heard the reason for Bruce’s actions, Walker felt much better about Bruce. The Williams he knew was crazy and loved the wave, but that was taking things to a whole new level. Closing his door behind him and locking it, he put down his papers and grabbed a bottle of water as his laptop came on. It still unnerved him that Jake and Matt had that much control over this base.
After the screen warmed up, he saw Bruce looking at him. “That better be water you’re drinking. You made me do pushups for sneaking in some Vodka,” Bruce said, grinning.
“Williams, you snuck Vodka into a war zone. That is not the best time to be drinking.”
“Oh, but it’s the best time to do pushups,” Bruce shot back.
“I bought you another bottle when we got state side,” Walker answered.
Bruce leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “We wanted it over there.”
Collapsing back in his chair, Walker smiled at the memories. “Well, did you hear that meeting?” he asked.
“Of course I did. I know how you’re going to attack. Your line of advance, troop disposition, supply status, equipment, and manpower. I have to say it’s a fair plan for suicide,” Bruce said.
Almost dropping his bottle of water, Walker looked at him in shock. “How? Nothing has been put in a computer. And we didn’t talk about it in the command center,” he blurted.
“You didn’t put it in the computer, but one of the general’s aides did. Plus, we were watching when you briefed the general in his office. His web cam is really good.”
“Your boy is very scary.”
“Walker, he is the joy of my wonder years.”
Shaking his head at Bruce, Walker looked at the screen. “Bruce, you will either call me Gene or Hammer. You aren’t in the green machine anymore, and I would appreciate it,” Gene said.
Letting out a sigh, Bruce looked at the screen. “Fine, Gene,” Bruce said, knowing somehow, Stephanie had been involved in that.
“Thank you, Bruce.”
“Well now, since we are on first-name basis. What’s your plan?” Bruce asked.
“Once we deploy, you will test our line from a distance. We have a few long distance skirmishes, and one of my regiments is going to defect to you. Then, you will call for a meeting to discuss terms, and I will kill the general and take control of the forces and turn them over to you,” Gene said.
“You throw that around real easy, Gene. Skirmishes can get my troops hurt for nothing.”
“Mine as well.”
Narrowing his eyes, Bruce said, “Gene, you’re asking me to risk my troops for a charade.”
“It’s a risk, yes, but worth it. I know my troops are good, but they will listen.”
“Your troops aren’t that good, Gene. I could launch Omega now and have that area destroyed in a week.”
“Your troops aren’t that good,” Gene said.
Leaning closer to the camera, Bruce’s face filled Gene’s screen. “You have a mega horde six hundred miles from you. We could led them right to that valley and never even face you. Or wait till you leave and take out your convoy en route. I can name a hundred different ways, Gene,” Bruce informed him with confidence.
“Bruce, what the hell are you getting at?” Gene asked, getting pissed off.
Leaning back again in his chair, Bruce said, “You’re asking me to risk my troop’s lives for nothing.”
“Nothing?” Gene gasped, jerking his head back.
“Yes, we have security, which we have fought hard and died for. This clan has paid for what we have with our blood. You’re asking me to risk their lives in a charade to set up this coup,” Bruce said.
Gene looked at Bruce and sighed, nodding. “You’re right, Bruce. I am, but I think it’s worth the risk. I’m trying to save these troops’ lives and these civilians here. I think it’s worth the risk.”
With a minute nod, Bruce said, “Well then, Gene, if you think it’s worth the risk, we’ll do it.”
Gene let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Bruce.”
“I’m sorry, Gene, but the war after this battle is going to take a long time, and I’m going to need my troops.”
“I understand, and I want you to have these troops as well.”
“I’m sure most of those troops will not continue the fight that I need. This is going to be a war of attrition on a scale never seen before,” Bruce said.
A broad grin filled Gene’s face. “Oh, I’m sure they will. Most want to join you now. The only thing holding them back is they have families here. I was ready to come and follow you when I heard about Omega, and I didn’t even know it was you, Bruce.”
“They will be your troops, Gene; I will just tell you where to attack.”
The grin fell off Gene’s face replaced by a scowl. “That is a big fat Fuck-You-Fat-Lady,” Gene popped off. “I’m joining your army, Bruce, and my troops are as well. You are the boss, troop.”
Throwing up his hands, Bruce snapped, “Okay Hammer, shit, back off.”
“You need to go and get a tampon, boy,” Gene said.
Bruce cracked his knuckles in front of the camera. “Gene, I’ve had enough shock to my system. I’m not in the mood,” Bruce said with narrowed eyes. Slowly. Bruce’s expression softened and he sighed. “I’m going to be a daddy again.”
Letting out a whoop, Gene threw up his fist, pumping it up and down. “Bruce, they are lovely girls, and to put up with you, they deserve a medal. You should feel lucky that they are having your kids.”
Watching Gene’s reaction, Bruce smiled then became serious. “Givens wants to fight a battle and become a hero.”
“Yes, that’s what I think,” Gene said.
“I don’t think; I know. He told his aide he wanted to wipe us out so he could go down in history as the greatest general of America.”
“Oh, that’s why you’re bitchy,” Gene groaned and continued. “Bruce, if I thought it would go down that way, I would get a group and leave then just let you lay waste to this place, but I really think we can save a bunch here.”
Feeling better after hearing that, Bruce tried to relax. “Okay, Gene, get some rest. Matt said your security blanket is under the bed, and your night light is out, so f
ix it, and get some sleep. We will talk some more Sunday night.”
“You better leave my woobie alone. It’s mine, and you can’t have it.”
With a wide grin and holding out his fist, Bruce said, “Hoorah.”
“Hoorah, troop,” Gene said, turning off the screen and smiling.
Bruce turned to the group to see Angela, Stephanie, Marcus, Carroll, Mike, Nancy, and the kids staring at him in ogle-eyed shock. “What?” he asked.
“You thought he wouldn’t join? Then you were just going to let him command the largest part of the troops?” Angela yelled, stomping her foot.
Crossing his arms, Bruce said, “I would have commanded them.”
“Commanded?” Stephanie screeched.
Dropping his arms, “Oh shit the hormones are here,” Bruce said, shaking his head.
Angela and Stephanie reached down, grabbed their notebooks, and threw them at Bruce. Dropping to his knees as the notebooks sailed over his head, Bruce looked at the two like they were crazy. They turned and started grabbing whatever their hands fell on for another volley.
Danny jumped in front of them. “Hold on; let him finish. Then, you can throw shit at him. I might even help,” Danny said as they lowered their arms. Danny spun around, looking at Bruce. “Now Daddy, spill it, and no bullshit, or I unleash them.”
With a weary look, Bruce stared at them. “I was hoping he would lead the army?” Bruce said. They all stared back at him with dazed expressions. “What, I can’t be tired? I’m getting sick of this shit. I want to sit the fuck down and rest for a minute. Maybe read a book for no other reason than to read something for fun. I want to take a minute to breathe. I’m fixing to be a daddy—again—and I can’t even enjoy the moment because I have to get ready for a fucking battle, which I hope doesn’t happen. I think that fucking Givens is going to throw monkey wrenches in this fucking escapade! Then, I have to plan an entire war across this continent that will last years and cost us a lot in lives, manpower, and supplies. I’m getting pissed off just thinking about all this shit, and when I get pissed off, I want to ride through the land wading in blood!” Bruce finished, yelling at the top of his lungs.
When Bruce finished, Mike reached up and stuck a finger in his ear, shaking it to stop the ringing. Angela and Stephanie ran over, wrapping their arms around Bruce. “We’re sorry, Bruce, we didn’t know,” Stephanie said, crying.
Closing his eyes, Bruce hugged them back and said, “Now, I feel like a complete shithead.”
Mike came over with Nancy. “Bruce, take a few days off. We can take it for a few days.”
Bruce looked up at Mike with a weak smile as Carroll and Marcus walked over, joining them. “Bruce, you go an’ take some time off an’ rest,” Carroll said.
Slumping his shoulders and feeling the weight of the world, he said, “Too much to do, Carroll.”
“No, Bruce, we be here for that. But be makin’ no mistake. You have ta lead us, an’ it can’t be no other. You the one that must blaze the trail in this war.”
“I know, Carroll. I’m just getting tired of it. If I guess wrong, then we lose troops we can’t afford and possibly everything here. I didn’t mind when it was only a few hundred, but now, we are getting to large troop movements. I would rather be a soldier or a smaller commander,” Bruce confessed.
“I knowed, Bruce, but you can’t be that now. You’s the big boss, and that’s the way it has ta be,” she told him and hugged is neck. “Go on inside befo’ I find me a switch.”
Not giving Bruce the chance to argue, Angela and Stephanie pulled him out of the building. When the door closed behind them, Carroll looked at everyone. “No one else is ta be hearin’ of this. The clan and people out in the wilderness think he be unstoppable, and they must always be seein’ that. Tell everyone we had a fight ta make him take two days off. They knowed he be listenin’ ta me. Bruce isn’t ta do anything till Tuesday unless it really be needin’ him,” Carroll said, and they nodded in agreement.
Nancy gasped and looked around at everyone. “The meeting tomorrow,” she said with alarm.
Holding up her hand, Carroll shook her head. “Tell the others on the command group it be moved ta Tuesday. Any complaints, an’ theys can come an’ see me. Just tell ‘em they have ta be gettin’ through Marcus first,” Carroll said, grinning at Marcus.
Suddenly Danny took off running to the door. “Where are you going?” Matt called after her.
Looking over her shoulder, she said, “I have to make sure they don’t get the kids. They are with Mindy and David.”
“Danny!” Carroll barked, and Danny stopped in her tracks obediently and turned around. “Bring the babies to me and Marcus. We gonna watch ‘em,” she said. Danny was fixing to complain but thought better of it, knowing Carroll would use a switch on her butt.
Walking up the stairs, Angela and Stephanie led Bruce inside to the bedroom. They showered, and Stephanie and Angela dried their hair as Bruce went to the bed. When they came out, they found him lying across the bed, snoring. They looked at each other then laid down beside him and curled up, drifting off to sleep.
Chapter 4
Awareness eased its way into Bruce’s dream that someone was stabbing him in the bladder with a really big and long knife. Struggling out of his sleep, he slowly cracked his eyes open and didn’t see anyone stabbing him then realized he had to pee—bad. Rolling to the side of the bed, he fought the pain as he gently stood and waddled to the bathroom.
Five minutes later, Bruce walked back into the bedroom, looked at the bed, and didn’t see anyone in it. He looked at the clock and noticed it was 1542 hours. Startled, he looked at his watch to find out it was Saturday. Relieved that he hadn’t slept for his off days, he went back to the bathroom and shaved then dressed, feeling much better.
With a pep in his step, Bruce snapped his fingers, wondering what to do on his off time. Heading downstairs, he found Danny, Mary, and Buffy at the table, working on laptops, each one stopping every once and a while to text someone. Grinning, Bruce stepped in and walked around, kissing each one on the head. “How are y’all doing today?” Bruce asked.
Lifting her head and brushing the hair out of her face, Danny looked up at him, smiling. “You were tired, Daddy. I thought you were going to sleep till tomorrow.”
“Might have if I wouldn’t have had to pee,” he said. “What are y’all doing?” he asked, looking over her shoulder at the computer screen.
Letting out a groan as she looked back down at her computer, Danny replied, “Making teams and training schedules?”
“Where’s Angela and Stephanie?” Bruce asked, feeling let down. He wanted someone to do something with.
“Dad, you have a phone now; call them,” Buffy said, looking up at him.
“Yeah, Dad, or just text them,” Danny said, glancing back up at him. Bruce just stared at her with a bland expression. “Oh, alright. They were in the front yard with the kids after lunch,” Danny said, looking back down at her laptop.
“Thank you, sweet pea,” Bruce said, turning around and heading to the front door. Walking into the front yard, he looked around and saw Stephanie standing by a tree. She was looking up in it and pointing at the ground. Following her line of sight, Bruce saw two kids thirty feet up in the top of the tree and someone else halfway up.
“Shit!” Bruce yelled and took off running toward her. Getting closer, he saw it was Angela climbing up the tree, and it was PJ and Cade at the top. “What the hell is going on?” Bruce asked, stopping beside her.
Stephanie wheeled around with a pissed off expression. “Your sons!” she expressed, “think that it’s funny to climb this damn tree and not come down!”
Taking a step back from Stephanie, he looked up in the tree. “Angela, get your ass down here right now!” Bruce yelled at her. “You’re pregnant, remember!”
Pausing her climb and looking d
own, Angela glared at Bruce. “I’m going to beat your kids first, after I throw ‘em out of this tree!” she screamed back at him.
I should’ve gone back to sleep, Bruce thought. “They will come down,” Bruce tried to assure her as he looked at the tree from top to bottom.
Turning back and continuing her climb, she snapped, “Oh yeah, we’ve been telling them that for an hour.”
Not in the mood for any of this, Bruce looked up at the boys. “Boys, get your ass down here!”
Lifting his little chin up in defiance, Cade yelled, “No!”
“See, I told you!” Angela yelled as she continued her climb up.
“Angela, get down. You’re pregnant and don’t need to be climbing up a tree! I’ll take care of this,” Bruce bellowed, walking to the garage. Hearing anger in Bruce’s voice, Angela scampered down the tree as Bruce came back, carrying a chainsaw.
As Angela reached the ground, Stephanie yelled, “What the hell are you going to do?”
“Get them down,” Bruce said calmly, walking over to the tree. Looking up, Bruce yelled, “Boys, Daddy is cutting this tree down, and when it hits, you’re going to get hurt bad! Then, as you are bleeding and crying, I’m going to take my belt off and beat you with it!” As he finished, Bruce started pulling the chainsaw cord, making it cough and sputter.
“No!” both boys screamed together, climbing down. They had seen the trees cut down around the farm and even in their little minds knew this was going to be bad. When they reached the halfway point, the chainsaw roared to life as Bruce walked over to the tree and started to saw it down. “Daddy!” They screamed, moving faster as a blizzard of saw dust surrounded Bruce.
“Bruce, holy shit, quit,” Angela said, grabbing his arm, but he kept sawing. Looking up when he was halfway through the tree, Bruce saw the boys close to the bottom. Taking the chainsaw off, the boys jumped, landing in a roll. When they were on the ground, Bruce finished cutting the tree down.
Blue Plague: War (Blue Plague Book 6) Page 3